Will maintain peace, harmony in country: Religious leaders after meeting NSA Doval

After meeting NSA Ajit Doval, Hindu-Muslim religious leaders and intellectuals expressed their commitment to maintaining peace and harmony in the country in the wake of the Supreme Court's verdict in Ayodhya case. After the meeting, Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev said that they will ensure that peace and harmony are maintained in the country at any cost.

New Delhi: Hindu-Muslim religious leaders and intellectuals, who attended the inter-religious faith meet at National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval's residence here on Sunday, expressed their commitment to maintaining peace and harmony in the country in the wake of the Supreme Court's verdict in Ayodhya case.

After the meeting, Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev said that they will ensure that peace and harmony are maintained in the country at any cost.

"All religious leaders have appealed that we are with the country's Constitution and judiciary. We will maintain peace and harmony in the country at any cost," he said.

Ramdev said the (Qaumi Ekta), unity and integrity of the country will not be allowed to get affected.

"This is the message from today's meeting. Hindus should contribute to constructing the mosque and the Muslims for the temple's construction. This will set a new example," he said.

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"Even the Muslim community has expressed happiness over the historic judgement. We are thankful to them for that," said another Hindu leader who attended the meeting.

"Both sides maintained peace ... This is a big achievement for India. Now, it is time to think for the country's progress," said Riwan Saiyyad Zainulabedin Ali Khan.

Talking about the meeting, Swami Chidanand Saraswati said: "I think that during the meeting, one thing came out -- Ibadat bhale mil kar na kar sakein lekin apne watan ki hifajat to mil kar kar sakte hain (We may not worship together but we can protect our country together)."

"Second thing -- Ek aisa faisla ayya hai ki jisne sare fasle hi door kar diye (One such a decision has come which has bridged all the gaps). It is time to make decisions, which do not create a divide, but join hearts," said he, while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the meeting was successful.

"The meeting took place in a cordial environment. Everyone praised the government for handling the sensitive issue so well," said Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad.

A leader from the Muslim community who attended the meeting said the decision will be accepted by everyone.

"Everyone will accept the decision. That is what the people repeated here. Peace must be maintained. We will try to end disunity," said Asghar Ali Imam Mehdi Salfi.

Some of the leaders said the purpose of the meeting was to maintain peace and prevent disturbances in the country.

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"Everybody wants peace. We have to prevent disturbances. The meeting was held to ensure the society doesn't get swayed away by anti-social elements. The religious leaders from both communities are committed to it," said Swami Paramatmananda.

"These days attempts to create disturbances take place not just from inside the country, but also from outside. This should not be looked at as crisis management or event. It has been suggested that this meeting should be held regularly," added Paramatmananda.

Another spiritual leader said that while the judgement is appreciable, what is the more appreciable is the way how the peace and harmony were maintained in the country in the aftermath of the verdict.

In the wake of the Supreme Court verdict in Ayodhya case, Hindu and Muslim religious leaders on Sunday reiterated their commitment to peace and harmony in the country at the inter-religious faith meet held here.

A joint press statement after the meeting said: "All the participants reposed their full faith in the rule of law and the Constitution of India. The leaders resolved to honour the decision of the Supreme Court and appealed to the countrymen to abide by it."

"They extended their full cooperation to the government in ensuring peace, communal harmony and upholding the rule of law," added the statement.

The Supreme Court on Saturday directed the Central government to hand over the disputed site at Ayodhya for the construction of a temple and set up a trust for the same.

The apex court further directed the government to give a suitable plot of land measuring five acres to the Sunni Waqf Board.'